Intelligent sample storage cabinet

Abstract

The invention provides an intelligent sample storage cabinet, and relates to the technical field of sample transportation and storage devices. The storage cabinet comprises a cabinet body and a controller, a specified placement area is reserved in the cabinet body and used for storing a drawable sample box, and the sample box is used for storing a to-be-tested sample; a box body detection switch is arranged at the position, corresponding to the edge of the front end of the sample box, in the cabinet body and used for detecting whether the sample box is pulled in place or not; a safety light curtain is arranged on the outer side of a specified placement area in the cabinet body and is used for detecting whether other objects except the sample box exist in the cabinet body or not; a key panel, an entrance guard detector and an automatic door opening assembly are arranged on the front side of the cabinet body, and the automatic door opening assembly is used for opening or closing the cabinet body according to a detection result of the entrance guard detector; a cabinet body detection switch is arranged on the outer side of a specified placement area in the cabinet body and is used for detecting whether a sample box is placed in the specified placement area or not; and a display screen is arranged above the sample box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sample transportation and storage devices, and can be applied to the fields of machinery, automation, intelligence, and communication. In particular, it relates to an intelligent sample storage cabinet. Background Technology

[0002] In the production process of electrolytic aluminum, the testing process of the inspection department can be divided into four parts: manual sampling, sample delivery, testing, and providing data to the production department. In the sample delivery process, samples are usually transported by a dedicated person carrying a tray on foot or by bicycle.

[0003] Due to the large size of the electrolytic aluminum workshop and the long round-trip routes for sample delivery, it is extremely resource-intensive. Furthermore, information regarding sample loading, unloading, transit, and testing is isolated and requires human intervention; there is also a lack of quantifiable data on sample delivery frequency and volume. Therefore, the current sample delivery process faces difficulties in statistics and analysis, hindering platform-based management, resulting in poor coordination between different stages and the inability to trace the transportation routes of samples and personnel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides an intelligent sample storage cabinet that can solve the problems of low efficiency, high manpower consumption, and low level of intelligence in the current sample delivery process.

[0005] This invention provides an intelligent sample storage cabinet, including a cabinet body and a controller. The cabinet body has a designated placement area for storing pull-out sample boxes, which are used to store samples to be tested. Inside the cabinet body, a box detection switch is located at the front edge of the sample box to detect whether the sample box has been pulled out completely. A safety light curtain is located outside the designated placement area inside the cabinet body to detect the presence of any object other than the sample box inside the cabinet. The front of the cabinet body has a button panel, an access control detector, and an automatic door opening component, which opens or closes the cabinet based on the detection result of the access control detector. The cabinet detection switch is located outside the designated placement area inside the cabinet body to detect whether a sample box is placed in the designated placement area. A display screen is located above the sample box. The controller is electrically connected to the button panel, access control detector, display screen, box detection switch, safety light curtain, automatic door opening component, and cabinet detection switch. The controller determines the status information of the storage cabinet based on the real-time status of at least one of the box detection switch, safety light curtain, access control detector, button panel, and cabinet detection switch, and controls the display screen to show the status information.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller is configured to control the automatic door opening assembly to open the cabinet upon first receiving a detection pass signal from the access control detector, so as to allow the user to access the sample to be tested in the sample box; the controller is also configured to control the automatic door opening assembly to close the cabinet when simultaneously receiving the following signals: a detection pass signal from the access control detector; a signal from the cabinet detection switch indicating that the sample box has been pulled out to the correct position; and a signal from the safety light curtain indicating that other objects are not present.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the button panel is provided with: a call button for issuing a call signal to prompt the automatic sample delivery trolley responding to the call signal to use a preset gripping mechanism to grip the sample box in the storage cabinet; and an emergency stop button for issuing an emergency stop signal to prompt the automatic sample delivery trolley to stop suddenly.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple designated placement areas, and the number of designated placement areas is greater than the number of sample boxes; each sample box has a box identification code on its top surface for tracking and identifying the box position information of the sample box for use by the gripping mechanism when gripping; the cabinet has a cabinet identification code inside the cabinet for tracking and identifying the cabinet position information of multiple designated placement areas for use by the gripping mechanism when gripping.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a camera is also provided above the sample box inside the cabinet for monitoring the real-time status inside the cabinet and recording video streams; the storage cabinet also includes a memory for storing the video streams.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tri-color light electrically connected to a controller is provided on the top of the cabinet; the controller is also used to control the tri-color light to present the corresponding light source color according to the status information of the storage cabinet.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sample to be tested includes an aluminum sample and an electrolyte sample; the sample box includes a box body and a pull-out multi-layer drawer disposed inside the box body; the multi-layer drawer includes at least one aluminum sample drawer and at least one electrolyte drawer, wherein the aluminum sample drawer is provided with multiple trays for storing aluminum samples, and the electrolyte drawer is provided with multiple cylinders for storing electrolyte samples.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the automatic door opening assembly includes: a movable door panel disposed on the front of the cabinet; a motor fixing plate fixed to the top of the front of the cabinet, a guide rail, a synchronous belt assembly, and a motor electrically connected to a controller mounted on the front of the motor fixing plate, the synchronous belt assembly being mounted parallel to the guide rail; a slider sleeved on the guide rail, the slider being fixedly connected to the top of the door panel via a guide rail connecting plate; a synchronous belt connecting plate fixed to the guide rail connecting plate, the synchronous belt connecting plate being fixed to one straight edge of the synchronous belt assembly; wherein, the controller is also used to control the start and stop of the motor, using the motor to drive the synchronous belt assembly to perform linear reciprocating motion, causing the door panel fixed on the synchronous belt assembly to slide along the guide rail, thereby opening or closing the door panel.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the automatic door opening assembly further includes: a photoelectric switch detection piece, which is fixed to the top of the back of the guide rail connecting plate and extends outward;

[0014] The photoelectric switch, which is electrically connected to the controller, is fixed on the back of the guide rail connecting plate at a position corresponding to the limit sliding position of the door panel. The limit sliding position includes the fully open position and the fully closed position of the door panel within the guide rail. When the photoelectric switch detection piece enters the sensing area of ​​the photoelectric switch along with the door panel, the controller cuts off the power supply to the motor according to the state change of the photoelectric switch.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the automatic door opening assembly further includes: a mechanical switch touch plate, fixed to the top of the back of the door panel and extending outward; a mechanical switch electrically connected to the controller, fixed to the back of the motor mounting plate at a position corresponding to the limit sliding position; wherein, when the mechanical switch touch plate slides to the limit sliding position with the door panel, the mechanical switch touch plate presses the mechanical switch, and the controller cuts off the power supply to the motor according to the state change of the mechanical switch.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the intelligent sample storage cabinet provided by the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0017] (1) It can realize intelligent storage of samples by personnel nearby after sampling, reduce manpower waste, and personnel can avoid going to the quality inspection department to deliver, count and hand over samples, thus improving the efficiency of sample collection and storage.

[0018] (2) The samples are traceable, which helps to realize the platform management of the samples. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The above-described features, other objects, and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the external structure of an intelligent sample storage cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 The internal structure of the intelligent sample storage cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown.

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the sample box according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic front structural view of an automatic door opening assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0024] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the rear structure of an automatic door opening assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0025] Figure 6 The schematic diagram illustrates the control principle of a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0027] 1-Cabinet; 2-Button panel; 3-Sample box; 4-Access detector; 5-Display screen; 6-Tricolor light; 7-Cabinet detection switch; 8-Safety light curtain; 9-Automatic door opening assembly; 10-Camera; 11-Cabinet identification code; 12-Designated placement area; 13-Cabinet detection switch;

[0028] 31-Box body; 32-Slide rail; 33-Aluminum sample drawer; 34-Material tray; 35-Aluminum sample; 36-Electrolyte drawer; 37-Material cylinder; 38-Electrolyte sample; 39-Box identification code;

[0029] 91-Door panel; 92-Guide rail; 93-Synchronous belt assembly; 94-Guide rail connecting plate; 95-Synchronous belt connecting plate; 96-Mechanical switch touch plate; 97-Mechanical switch; 98-Photoelectric switch; 99-Photoelectric switch detection piece; 910-Motor. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention for ease of explanation. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and techniques are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the invention.

[0031] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of these embodiments. The terms “comprising,” “including,” etc., as used herein indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, or components.

[0032] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] All terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that the terms used herein are to be interpreted in a manner consistent with the context of this specification, and not in an idealized or overly rigid way.

[0034] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the external structure of an intelligent sample storage cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The diagram schematically illustrates the internal structure of an intelligent sample storage cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the intelligent sample storage cabinet of this embodiment includes a cabinet body 1 and a controller (not shown in the figure). The cabinet body 1 has a reserved placement area 12 for storing a pull-out sample box 3, which is used to store the sample to be tested.

[0036] Inside the cabinet 1, a cabinet detection switch 7 is installed at the position corresponding to the front edge of the sample box 3, which is used to detect whether the sample box 3 has been pulled out into place.

[0037] A safety light curtain 8 is installed outside the designated placement area inside the cabinet 1 to detect whether there are any objects other than the sample box inside the cabinet 1. For example, other objects could be the arms, bodies, or other parts of other people. The safety light curtain 8 is located on the outermost side of the internal space of the cabinet 1 to prevent the arms, bodies, or other parts of people from failing to be removed from the internal space of the intelligent sample storage cabinet during the automatic closing process.

[0038] The front of the cabinet 1 is equipped with a button panel 2, an access control detector 4, and an automatic door opening component 9. The automatic door opening component 9 is used to open or close the cabinet 1 according to the detection result of the access control detector 4.

[0039] A cabinet detection switch 13 is installed on the outside of the designated placement area 12 inside the cabinet 1 to detect whether the designated placement area 12 contains a sample box 3, ensuring that the sample box 3 inside the cabinet 1 is in the correct position and preventing accidental grabbing.

[0040] A display screen 5 is installed above the sample box 3. The controller is electrically connected to the button panel 2, the access detector 4, the display screen 5, the box detection switch 7, the safety light curtain 8, the automatic door opening component 9, and the cabinet detection switch 13. The controller is used to determine the status information of the storage cabinet based on the real-time status of at least one of the box detection switch 7, the safety light curtain 8, the access detector 4, the button panel 2, and the cabinet detection switch 13, and to control the display screen 5 to display the status information.

[0041] For example, the display screen 5 is set above the sample box 3 inside the cabinet 1 and can display the following three types of status information: (1) basic information of the intelligent sample storage cabinet, such as waiting for the automatic sample delivery trolley (if the automatic sample delivery trolley has been called), the automatic sample delivery trolley has finished taking samples, waiting for sample placement, number of sample placements, current sample placement card swipe personnel, etc.; (2) debugging information, such as the status debugging information related to the automatic door opening component 9 driven by the motor 910, the status debugging information of the cabinet detection switch 7 or the cabinet detection switch 13, etc.; (3) other information, such as the alarm information generated by the cabinet detection switch 7 or the safety light curtain 8, the cancellation alarm information or reset prompt information issued by the button panel 2, etc.

[0042] The intelligent sample storage cabinet of this invention can solve the problems of low efficiency, high manpower consumption and low level of intelligence in the current sample delivery process. It enables personnel to intelligently store samples nearby after collection, thereby reducing manpower waste, improving sample collection and storage efficiency, and facilitating the intelligent management of numerous samples.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the button panel 2 is provided with a call button and an emergency stop button. The call button is used to issue a call signal to prompt the automatic sample delivery trolley, responding to the call signal, to use a preset gripping mechanism to grab the sample box 3 in the storage cabinet. The emergency stop button is used to issue an emergency stop signal to prompt the automatic sample delivery trolley to stop immediately.

[0044] For example, if a sampling personnel presses the call button on the keypad 2, the automated sample delivery cart, in response to the call signal, can move to the vicinity of the intelligent sample storage cabinet and use a pre-set gripping mechanism to grab the sample box 3 inside the storage cabinet. In this way, the intelligent sample storage cabinet can interact with the automated sample delivery cart.

[0045] In some embodiments, a camera 10 is also provided above the sample box 3 inside the cabinet 1 to monitor the real-time status inside the cabinet 1 and record video streams.

[0046] Camera 10 is used for security monitoring. It can record the situation inside the storage cabinet to form a video stream. The stored video stream can be used for process recording. If there are violations such as sample loss or mixed storage, it can be traced.

[0047] In some embodiments, a tri-color light 6 electrically connected to a controller is provided on the top of the cabinet 1. The controller is also used to control the tri-color light 6 to display the corresponding light source color according to the status information of the storage cabinet.

[0048] The tri-color lamp 6 is a lighting fixture that can cycle through different light source colors (such as red, yellow, and green) via a switch. When the storage cabinet is in different status states, the controller can control the tri-color lamp 6 to display different light source colors.

[0049] For example, when the controller receives any of the following signals: a failure signal from the access control detector 4, a signal from the box detection switch 7 indicating that the sample box cannot be pulled out properly, or a signal from the safety light curtain 8 indicating the presence of other objects, it can control the tri-color light 6 to display a specific light source color (such as red) as an alarm message to remind personnel to handle the alarm.

[0050] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the sample box according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the samples to be tested include aluminum sample 35 and electrolyte sample 38. The sample box 3 includes a box body 31 and a pull-out multi-layer drawer disposed within the box body 31.

[0052] The multi-layer drawer includes at least one aluminum sample drawer 33 and at least one electrolyte drawer 36. The aluminum sample drawer 33 is provided with multiple trays 34 for storing aluminum samples 35, and the electrolyte drawer 36 is provided with multiple cylinders 37 for storing electrolyte samples 38.

[0053] Understandably, aluminum sample 35 is pure aluminum metal extracted from the electrolytic cell (such as solidified liquid aluminum after cooling), while electrolyte sample 38 is a molten salt mixture (mainly containing cryolite, alumina, etc.) within the electrolytic cell, used for conducting current and dissolving alumina. Because electrolyte sample 38 is highly hygroscopic, prone to deliquescence, and contains corrosive components such as fluorides, which may release harmful gases or deteriorate, it is stored separately in container 37.

[0054] Since the multi-layered drawers in sample box 3 are pull-out, the box detection switch 7 is used to detect whether the aluminum sample drawer 33 and the electrolyte drawer 36 have been pulled out to their full positions. When pulled out to their full positions, the front edges of all drawers are flush with each other.

[0055] The cabinet detection switch 7 is a reflective photoelectric sensor installed inside the cabinet 1 at the position where the front edge of each of the multi-layered drawers will pass when fully pushed in. Using this reflective photoelectric sensor, it automatically and non-contactly determines whether the drawers are fully closed. For example, the cabinet detection switch 7 is responsible for detecting whether the aluminum sample drawer 33 and the electrolyte drawer 36 are both fully extended. If they are not fully extended, an alarm will be triggered by the tri-color light 6.

[0056] Please continue reading. Figure 3 In order to achieve the pull-out function, each drawer has slide rails 32 on both sides, and the inner wall of the box 31 has a slide groove at the position corresponding to the slide rails 32 of each drawer. Through the cooperation of the slide rails 32 and the slide groove, each drawer can be pulled out and pulled out in the box 31.

[0057] In some embodiments, each drawer has a handle on the front to facilitate the user pulling out the drawer.

[0058] In some embodiments, there are multiple designated placement areas 12, and the number of designated placement areas 12 is greater than the number of sample boxes 3. For example, the number of designated placement areas 12 is one more than the number of sample boxes 3. That is, when the number of designated placement areas 12 is 2, the number of sample boxes 3 is 1.

[0059] This is because, when switching between an empty sample box and a full sample box, the pre-set gripping mechanism of the automatic sample delivery cart first places an empty sample box from the cart into an empty position in the designated placement area 12, and then removes the full sample box from the designated placement area 12. The gripping logic of this mechanism is designed so that the turnover position of the empty and full sample boxes is reflected on the intelligent sample storage cabinet.

[0060] The top surface of the sample box 3 is equipped with a box identification code 39, which is used to track and identify the box position information of the sample box 3 for use by the gripping mechanism. The cabinet 1 is equipped with a cabinet identification code 11, which is used to track and identify the cabinet position information of multiple designated placement areas 12 for use by the gripping mechanism.

[0061] For example, the box identification code 39 can be a QR code, laser-marked at a pre-designed and fixed physical location on the top surface of each sample box 3, marking the specific position of the sample box 3 for precise positioning by the gripping mechanism. Therefore, the automatic sample delivery trolley, using a vision system equipped with a camera, can not only read the data contained in the QR code by capturing it, but also calculate the position and angle of the sample box 3 itself based on the position and angle of the QR code in the captured image, so as to provide the gripping mechanism with precise positioning of the sample box 3 during gripping.

[0062] Similarly, the cabinet identification code 11 can also be a pre-generated QR code, placed at a fixed position in the intelligent sample storage cabinet. This position, along with multiple designated placement areas 12, is subject to precision control during processing and assembly. Therefore, the automatic sample delivery cart, using a vision system equipped with a camera, can obtain the cabinet position information of multiple designated placement areas 12 by scanning this QR code. This information is used for positioning the grabbing mechanism when placing empty sample boxes, preventing the grabbing mechanism from deviating from the designated placement area 12 due to errors in the automatic sample delivery cart's parking.

[0063] Specifically, the cabinet detection switch 13 can determine the position of the sample box 3 in the designated placement area 12. Its detection result can be a logic value indicating whether the sample box is present or absent, which is used to determine whether the empty sample box has been placed in the designated placement area 12 and whether the full sample box has been taken away from the designated placement area 12.

[0064] For example, when the automatic sample delivery cart reaches the predetermined position (which may have an error of ±50mm), the grasping mechanism photographs the cabinet identification code 11 to obtain the precise coordinates of multiple designated placement areas 12, then grasps the empty sample box in the automatic sample delivery cart and places it, then photographs the cabinet identification code 39 of the full sample box that has been placed with samples to obtain the precise coordinates of the full sample box, grasps the full sample box, and then puts the full sample box back into the automatic sample delivery cart.

[0065] It should also be noted that, due to the accuracy error during the placement of the empty sample box, there is a redundant gap between the designated placement area 12 (multiple) and the positioning edge of the empty sample box. Therefore, after the empty sample box is placed, its actual position does not have a precise positional relationship with the cabinet identification code 11 (this positional relationship is fuzzy; the cabinet identification code 11 only has a precise positional relationship with the center position of the designated placement area 12 (multiple)). Therefore, when grabbing the full sample box, it is necessary to take a picture of the cabinet identification code 39 of the full sample box.

[0066] In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller is used to control the automatic door opening assembly 9 to open the cabinet 1 when it first receives the detection pass signal from the access control detector 4, so that the user can access the sample to be tested in the sample box 3.

[0067] The controller is also used to control the automatic door opening assembly 9 to close the cabinet 1 when the following signals are received simultaneously: a detection pass signal from the access control detector 4; a signal from the cabinet detection switch 7 indicating that the sample box has been pulled into place; and a signal from the safety light curtain 8 indicating that other objects do not exist.

[0068] Figure 4 A schematic front structural view of an automatic door opening assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 The diagram schematically illustrates the rear structural view of an automatic door opening assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the automatic door opening assembly 9 includes a door panel 91, a motor mounting plate, a guide rail 92, a timing belt assembly 93, a motor 910, a slider, a guide rail connecting plate 94, and a timing belt connecting plate 95.

[0070] A sliding door panel 91 is provided on the front of cabinet 1. A motor mounting plate is fixed to the top of the front of cabinet 1. A guide rail 92, a synchronous belt assembly 93, and a motor 910 electrically connected to the controller are mounted on the front of the motor mounting plate. The synchronous belt assembly 93 is installed parallel to the guide rail 92. A slider is fitted on the guide rail 92, and the slider is fixedly connected to the top of the door panel 91 through a guide rail connecting plate 94. A synchronous belt connecting plate 95 is fixed on the guide rail connecting plate 94, and the synchronous belt connecting plate 95 is fixed to one straight edge of the synchronous belt assembly 93.

[0071] The controller is also used to control the start and stop of the motor 910. The motor 910 drives the synchronous belt assembly 93 to perform linear reciprocating motion, which drives the door panel 91 fixed on the synchronous belt assembly 93 to slide along the guide rail 92, so that the door panel 91 opens or closes.

[0072] Furthermore, the synchronous belt assembly 93 includes a driving pulley and a driven pulley mounted at both ends of the guide rail 92, and an annular synchronous belt sleeved on and enclosed by the driving pulley and the driven pulley. The annular synchronous belt has teeth on its inner side, which mesh with the tooth grooves on the driving pulley or the driven pulley. In this way, the synchronous belt assembly 93 can be driven by the motor 910 to perform linear reciprocating motion.

[0073] In some embodiments, a transparent window for observation is also provided inside the door panel 91.

[0074] In some embodiments, there are two automatic door opening components 9, located on the front and back of the cabinet. The front of the cabinet can serve as the operating side for the sample delivery personnel to store samples, while the back of the cabinet can serve as the interaction side for interacting with the automatic sample delivery cart.

[0075] As can be seen from the above description, the opening and closing principle of the automatic door opening component 9 in this embodiment of the invention is as follows:

[0076] (1) Door opening action: When the controller receives the detection result of the access control detector 4 passing the detection, the controller starts the motor 910 to drive the synchronous belt assembly 93 to move in a specific direction, which drives the door panel 91 fixed on the synchronous belt assembly 93 to slide along the guide rail 92 in the door opening direction. The motor 910 continues to rotate until the door panel 91 reaches the preset fully open position, and then stops.

[0077] (2) Closing action: When a closing command is received, the controller starts the motor 910 to drive the synchronous belt assembly 93 to move in the opposite direction to the aforementioned specific direction, causing the door panel 91, which is fixed on the synchronous belt assembly 93, to slide along the guide rail 92 in the closing direction. The motor 910 continues to rotate until the door panel 91 reaches the preset fully closed position, and then stops.

[0078] Furthermore, the automatic door opening assembly 9 also includes a photoelectric switch detection piece 99 and a photoelectric switch 98. The photoelectric switch detection piece 99 is fixed to the top of the back of the guide rail connecting plate 94 and extends outward. The photoelectric switch 98 is electrically connected to the controller and is fixed on the back of the guide rail connecting plate 94 at a position corresponding to the limit sliding position of the door panel 91, which includes the fully open position and the fully closed position of the door panel 91 within the guide rail 92. When the photoelectric switch detection piece 99 enters the sensing area of ​​the photoelectric switch 98 along with the door panel 91, the controller cuts off the power to the motor 910 according to the state change of the photoelectric switch 98.

[0079] According to the embodiments of the present invention, in the automatic door opening assembly 9, the power supply of the motor 910 can be cut off non-contactly using the photoelectric switch 98.

[0080] Furthermore, the automatic door opening assembly 9 also includes a mechanical switch touch plate 96 and a mechanical switch 97. The mechanical switch touch plate 96 is fixed to the top of the back of the door panel 91 and extends outward. The mechanical switch 97 is electrically connected to the controller and is fixed to the back of the motor mounting plate at a position corresponding to the limit sliding position. When the mechanical switch touch plate 96 slides to the limit sliding position with the door panel 91, the mechanical switch touch plate 96 presses the mechanical switch 97, and the controller cuts off the power to the motor 910 according to the state change of the mechanical switch 97.

[0081] Through the embodiments of the present invention, under the premise of photoelectric switch 98, contact mechanical switch 97 can continue to be used. This technical solution serves as a safety redundancy design for opening and closing doors, ensuring that the door is fully opened.

[0082] In some embodiments, the outer shell of the cabinet 1 is made of metal sheet; a seal is provided at the gaps in the outer shell, and a raised water-retaining edge is provided at the opening edge of the outer shell, so as to prevent external rainwater and dust from entering the interior of the cabinet 1 through the seal and the water-retaining edge.

[0083] In some embodiments, the lower surface of the cabinet 1 is movably connected with casters, which can free up manpower, move easily, and turn flexibly, thereby improving the flexibility and efficiency of space utilization.

[0084] Figure 6 The schematic diagram illustrates the control principle of a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] like Figure 6 As shown, the controller in this embodiment of the invention is electrically connected to the button panel, display screen, tri-color light, camera, access control detector, cabinet detection switch, automatic door opening assembly, safety light curtain and cabinet detection switch, respectively.

[0086] For example, the controller can be a programmable logic controller (PLC), an industrial computer, or a microcontroller; the present invention does not impose any specific limitations.

[0087] It should be noted that the controller can be installed inside or outside the intelligent sample storage cabinet (either through contact or non-contact), and communicate with the intelligent sample storage cabinet through a network. This network can include various connection types, such as wired or wireless communication links or fiber optic cables, etc.

[0088] Understandably, the smart sample storage cabinet also includes batteries to power the various electronic components.

[0089] As can be seen from the above description, the main operational flow of the intelligent sample storage cabinet proposed in this embodiment of the invention is as follows:

[0090] (1) After the sample delivery personnel complete the sampling, they can swipe their access card at the access control detector 4 for the first time. When the access control detector 4 sends a signal that the detection has passed, the automatic door opening component 9 will automatically open the door. The sample delivery personnel can then open the sample box 3 inside the cabinet 1 and store the sample to be tested. If aluminum sample 35 needs to be placed, the aluminum sample drawer 33 will be pulled out. If electrolyte sample 38 needs to be placed, the electrolyte drawer 36 will be pulled out. Since electrolyte sample 38 is fragile, it is placed in the material cylinder 37.

[0091] (2) After the sample is placed, pull the sample box 3 to the fully closed position. When the sample delivery personnel swipe their access card at the access detector 4 again, and the access detector 4 sends a pass signal, if the cabinet detection switch 7 detects that the sample box has been pulled into place, and the safety light curtain 8 detects that there are no other objects in the cabinet 1 except for the sample box, the automatic door opening component 9 can automatically close the door.

[0092] (3) If the sample delivery personnel press the call button on the keypad 2, the automatic sample delivery trolley responding to the call signal moves to the vicinity of the intelligent sample storage cabinet and uses the preset gripping mechanism to grab the sample box 3 in the storage cabinet. At that time, the automatic door opening component 9 interacts with the automatic sample delivery trolley.

[0093] To ensure the safety and smooth operation of the entire process and to stop losses in time in the event of an accident, this embodiment of the invention may also provide buttons such as initialization, reset, run, power, and door opening / closing backup on the button panel 2.

[0094] It should also be noted that the embodiments of the present invention do not specifically limit the internal structure of the automatic sample delivery trolley and the gripping mechanism.

[0095] In summary, the embodiments of the present invention provide an intelligent sample storage cabinet in which personnel can temporarily store the samples to be tested. Subsequently, the samples are automatically retrieved by an automatic sample delivery cart, thereby reducing manpower waste, improving sample collection and storage efficiency, and facilitating the intelligent management of numerous samples.

[0096] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Throughout the drawings, the same elements are represented by the same or similar reference numerals. Conventional structures or constructions will be omitted when they may cause confusion in understanding the invention. Furthermore, the shape, size, and positional relationship of the components in the drawings do not reflect their actual size, scale, or actual positional relationship.

[0097] In the description of this invention, "flush" can be understood as two surfaces having the same height, with no height difference between them, or it can be understood as the height difference between them being within the range of manufacturing and assembly errors.

[0098] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. Furthermore, the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0099] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An intelligent sample storage cabinet, comprising a cabinet body (1) and a controller, characterized in that: The cabinet (1) has a designated placement area (12) reserved inside for storing a pull-out sample box (3), which is used to store the sample to be tested. Inside the cabinet (1), a cabinet detection switch (7) is provided at the position corresponding to the front edge of the sample box (3) to detect whether the sample box (3) has been pulled out into place; A safety light curtain (8) is provided outside the designated placement area inside the cabinet (1) to detect whether there are any objects other than the sample box inside the cabinet (1). The cabinet (1) is provided with a button panel (2), an access control detector (4) and an automatic door opening component (9) on the front. The automatic door opening component (9) is used to open or close the cabinet (1) according to the detection result of the access control detector (4). A cabinet detection switch (13) is provided on the outside of the designated placement area (12) inside the cabinet (1) to detect whether the sample box (3) is placed in the designated placement area (12). The sample box (3) is equipped with a display screen (5) on top. The controller is electrically connected to the button panel (2), the access control detector (4), the display screen (5), the box detection switch (7), the safety light curtain (8), the automatic door opening component (9), and the cabinet detection switch (13). The controller is used to determine the status information of the storage cabinet based on the real-time status of at least one of the cabinet detection switch (7), safety light curtain (8), access control detector (4), keypad (2), and cabinet detection switch (13), and to control the display screen (5) to display the status information.

2. The intelligent sample storage cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is used to control the automatic door opening assembly (9) to open the cabinet (1) when it first receives the detection pass signal issued by the access control detector (4) so ​​that the user can access the sample to be tested in the sample box (3); The controller is also configured to control the automatic door opening assembly (9) to close the cabinet (1) when the following signals are received simultaneously: The access control detector (4) sends out a pass signal; The signal emitted by the box detection switch (7) indicates that the sample box has been pulled into place; The safety light curtain (8) emits a signal indicating that other objects do not exist.

3. The intelligent sample storage cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button panel (2) is provided with: A call button is used to issue a call signal to prompt the automatic sample delivery trolley responding to the call signal to use a preset gripping mechanism to grab the sample box (3) in the storage cabinet. An emergency stop button is used to issue an emergency stop signal to prompt the automatic sample delivery trolley to stop immediately.

4. The intelligent sample storage cabinet according to claim 3, characterized in that, There are multiple designated placement areas (12), and the number of designated placement areas (12) is greater than the number of sample boxes (3); The top surface of the sample box (3) is provided with a box identification code (39) for tracking and identifying the box position information of the sample box (3) for use by the gripping mechanism when gripping; The cabinet (1) is equipped with a cabinet identification code (11) inside, which is used to track and identify the cabinet position information of multiple designated placement areas (12) for use by the grasping mechanism when grasping.

5. The intelligent sample storage cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that, A camera (10) is also installed above the sample box (3) inside the cabinet (1) to monitor the real-time status inside the cabinet (1) and record video streams. The storage cabinet also includes a memory for storing the video stream.

6. The intelligent sample storage cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the cabinet (1) is equipped with a three-color light (6) that is electrically connected to the controller. The controller is also used to control the tri-color lamp (6) to present the corresponding light source color according to the status information of the storage cabinet.

7. The intelligent sample storage cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The samples to be tested include aluminum sample (35) and electrolyte sample (38); The sample box (3) includes a box body (31) and a pull-out multi-layer drawer disposed inside the box body (31); The multi-layer drawer includes at least one aluminum sample drawer (33) and at least one electrolyte drawer (36), wherein the aluminum sample drawer (33) is provided with multiple trays (34) for storing aluminum samples (35), and the electrolyte drawer (36) is provided with multiple cylinders (37) for storing electrolyte samples (38).

8. The intelligent sample storage cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic door opening component (9) includes: A sliding door panel (91) is provided on the front of the cabinet (1); The cabinet (1) has a motor mounting plate fixed on the top front. The front of the motor mounting plate is equipped with a guide rail (92), a synchronous belt assembly (93), and a motor (910) electrically connected to the controller. The synchronous belt assembly (93) is installed parallel to the guide rail (92). A slider is fitted on the guide rail (92), and the top of the door panel (91) is fixedly connected to the slider through the guide rail connecting plate (94); A timing belt connecting plate (95) is fixed on the guide rail connecting plate (94), and the timing belt connecting plate (95) is fixed on one straight edge of the timing belt assembly (93); The controller is also used to control the start and stop of the motor (910), and to drive the synchronous belt assembly (93) to perform linear reciprocating motion using the motor (910), thereby causing the door panel (91) fixed on the synchronous belt assembly (93) to slide along the guide rail (92), so that the door panel (91) opens or closes.

9. The intelligent sample storage cabinet according to claim 8, characterized in that, The automatic door opening assembly (9) also includes: The photoelectric switch detection piece (99) is fixed to the top of the back of the guide rail connecting plate (94) and extends outward; The photoelectric switch (98) electrically connected to the controller is fixed on the back of the guide rail connecting plate (94) at a position corresponding to the limit sliding position of the door panel (91), wherein the limit sliding position includes the fully open position and the fully closed position of the door panel (91) in the guide rail (92); When the photoelectric switch detection piece (99) enters the sensing area of ​​the photoelectric switch (98) along with the door panel (91), the controller cuts off the power supply of the motor (910) according to the state change of the photoelectric switch (98).

10. The intelligent sample storage cabinet according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The automatic door opening assembly (9) also includes: A mechanical switch touch panel (96) is fixed to the top of the back of the door panel (91) and extends outward; A mechanical switch (97) electrically connected to the controller is fixed on the back of the motor mounting plate at a position corresponding to the limit sliding position. When the mechanical switch touch plate (96) slides to the limit sliding position along with the door panel (91), the mechanical switch touch plate (96) presses the mechanical switch (97), and the controller cuts off the power supply of the motor (910) according to the state change of the mechanical switch (97).

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